Silo-hoop or band.



J. G. HUNTER.

SILO HOOP 0R BAND.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 15, 1913.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

1 plain JAiviEs a. HUNTER, or nnronnn, NEBRASKA.

SILO HOOP OR BAND.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

Application filed March 15, 1913. Serial No. 754,411.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAM'Es G. HUNTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Naponee, in the county of Franklin and State of Nebraska, have invented'new and useful Improvements in Silo Hoops or Bands, of which the following is a specification. 7

This invention relates to hoops or bands and particularly to devices of this character adapted for use on silos, tanks and like structures. When wooden silos are filled with wet ensilage the staves expand to such an extent that frequently the hoops or bands break or the staves warp out of shape. Again, when the silo is empty the sun and wind dry the staves to such an extent that the hoops or bands drop oli'.

It is the object of this invention to avoid these difficulties and broadly speaking the invention consistsof a hoop or band which will expand and contract in accordance with the expansion and contraction of the silo or tank and at the same time be in firm engagement therewith.

Further objects of this invention will appear as the following specific description is read in connection with the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this application, and in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of one of the hoops. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a detail transverse sectional view.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the hoop comprises a rod 1 bent into circular form and having its ends overlapping each other in parallel spaced crossed superposed relation and being threaded as shown to receive the adjusting nuts 2. One end of the rod or hoop passes through an aperture 3 formed in the angular end 4 of an inner metallic guiding member 5 which is slidably arranged in guide ways 6 formed by bending up the longitudinal side edges of the outer metallic guiding member 7 into parallel spaced flanges 8. The inner guiding member 5 as well as the outer guiding member 7 is bowed or bent throughout its longitudinal extent to conform to the configuration or contour of a silo. The outer guiding member is provided with a right angular end 9 through which the end of the rod 1 which passes through the aperture 3 is extended. The opposite end of the hoop passes through an aperture 10 in the right angular end 9 and through an aperture in the right angular end at of the inner guiding member. A helical spring 11 embraces the parallel crossed ends of the hoop and is arranged between and in abutting relation with the right angular ends of the respective inner and outer guiding members as can be readily seen from inspection of the drawing, reference being had to Fig. 2 of the drawing. As the silo expands the guiding members slide over each other and the inner member is prevented from any lateral displacement from the outer member by means of the flanges 8 and their right angular ends are spread apart. The adjusting nut 2 bears against the outer face of the angular end l of the inner guiding member 5 at a point adjacent its upper inner edge while the other adjusting nut2bears against the outer face of the angular end 9 at a point adjacent its lower outer edge, thereby it will be seen when the silo contracts, or in otherwords, when the staves thereof shrink, by the adjustment of the nuts 2 will cause an equal adjustment or inward movement of the respective angular nuts, against the tension of the spring 11 and preventing any binding or sagging movement of the members, thus connecting the hoop tight upon the tank at all times.

What is claimed is A pair of slidably connected inner and outer metallic members bent throughout their longitudinal extent to conform to the contour of a barrel, the outer metallic member having its upper and lower longitudinal edges bent upwardly to provide guide flanges for slidably receiving the inner member, the said inner and outer members being provided with apertured angular ends, an open hoop having each end thereof slidably arranged in the apertures of the ends of said members and disposed in crossed spaced superposed parallel relation oneto the other, a spring interposed between the angular ends and embracing the crossed ends of the hoop for normally separating the inner and outer members, and binding of the inner member with the means adjustably mounted on the ends of guides of the outer member;

the hoop and engaging with the angular end of the inner member adjacent itsiupper edge and with the angular end of the outer In testimony whereof I affix signature in presence of two witnesses.

- JAMES G.=HUNTER. 7

member adjacent its lower edge for nor- 7 Witnesses :1 mally compressing said members againstthe OLLIE D. HA SON, tenslon of the spring and preventing any 7 A. HWARRENQ Copies of this patent may be obtained 'for 'five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. G. 

